10-24-2014
, 06:36 PM
It was a deepstacked 1-2NL game, back in the heyday of the poker boom. I was in middle position with a pair of nines, and about $700 behind. It folded to me and I made it $12 to go, the standard open for this table. I got 4 callers. Time to flop a set I thought, as the monotone board dropped, with a lovely 9 right in the middle. It checked to me, and I bet $45. EVERYONE called. Planning to check/fold unless the board paired, I awaited the turn card. BINK
The last 9 in the deck had found its way to me. This time, the sb bet $150, the bb shoved for $600. I double-checked the board, yep I've got the nuts. I took my chip of my cards so I could shove my chips in-and the dealer mucked my hand. I immediately let out a cry, as if I has just been stabbed. The other players at the table agreed, I was not folding, but shoving. At this point the floor was called over, but I knew the ruling. No one could tell at all which cards were whose. I sat back dejected as the hand continued with the button calling the shove, and his nut flush being bested by the bb's full house.
Lesson #1:
At seventeen, there are no casinos that will let you play poker. So I found a home game through my uncle, and proceeded to clean house. Now this home game played every game you can imagine, and a few you probably can't.
This particular evening, Deuces Wild seemed to be the game of choice. I looked at my hole cards, and found KQJ all in diamonds. This is a nice start, I thought as I completed the bet to $.50. Two players called me, and we were off to fourth street. I got a Ten of diamonds, my opponents both got deuces. A bet and three calls later, I catch a deuce. BINGO, I have a royal flush. But I remeber that is some games, 5-of-a-kind beats even a royal. Unless it is-BOOM-Jack of diamonds. A Royal-natural, real. Like a princess without breast implants. The down cards were of no consequence, the the real betting began. Channelling Paul Newman himself, each raise was met with 'kick a buck'. I took a while for me to get all my chips in, my grandfather's words echoing in my mind "Royal is as good as it gets. You get a royal, son, you bet the house, the wife, the dog, everything. You can't lose!" Not being married, not owning a house, and feeling quite sure no one would even want my dog, I simply bet the $236 that was in front of me. As the last dollar went in, I proudly turned over my Royal Flush. there were no gasps of amazement, or nods of approval. my opponent turned over his hand- three threes and 2 deuces. I stared dumbfounded as the dealer pushed the monster pot to the other player. "But wait", I said desperately, "What about my natural royal? It doesn't win? "House rules. 5-of-a-kind beats all", was the response.
Lesson #2:
Ok, your turn. Reply with some lessons you've learned. About the game, about life. Poker can be a great teacher. Let's hear from some of it's students.
The last 9 in the deck had found its way to me. This time, the sb bet $150, the bb shoved for $600. I double-checked the board, yep I've got the nuts. I took my chip of my cards so I could shove my chips in-and the dealer mucked my hand. I immediately let out a cry, as if I has just been stabbed. The other players at the table agreed, I was not folding, but shoving. At this point the floor was called over, but I knew the ruling. No one could tell at all which cards were whose. I sat back dejected as the hand continued with the button calling the shove, and his nut flush being bested by the bb's full house.Lesson #1:
Spoiler:
At seventeen, there are no casinos that will let you play poker. So I found a home game through my uncle, and proceeded to clean house. Now this home game played every game you can imagine, and a few you probably can't.
This particular evening, Deuces Wild seemed to be the game of choice. I looked at my hole cards, and found KQJ all in diamonds. This is a nice start, I thought as I completed the bet to $.50. Two players called me, and we were off to fourth street. I got a Ten of diamonds, my opponents both got deuces. A bet and three calls later, I catch a deuce. BINGO, I have a royal flush. But I remeber that is some games, 5-of-a-kind beats even a royal. Unless it is-BOOM-Jack of diamonds. A Royal-natural, real. Like a princess without breast implants. The down cards were of no consequence, the the real betting began. Channelling Paul Newman himself, each raise was met with 'kick a buck'. I took a while for me to get all my chips in, my grandfather's words echoing in my mind "Royal is as good as it gets. You get a royal, son, you bet the house, the wife, the dog, everything. You can't lose!" Not being married, not owning a house, and feeling quite sure no one would even want my dog, I simply bet the $236 that was in front of me. As the last dollar went in, I proudly turned over my Royal Flush. there were no gasps of amazement, or nods of approval. my opponent turned over his hand- three threes and 2 deuces. I stared dumbfounded as the dealer pushed the monster pot to the other player. "But wait", I said desperately, "What about my natural royal? It doesn't win? "House rules. 5-of-a-kind beats all", was the response.
Lesson #2:
Spoiler:
Ok, your turn. Reply with some lessons you've learned. About the game, about life. Poker can be a great teacher. Let's hear from some of it's students.
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